'Happily ever after' as Kris, James agree on custody

ABS-CBN News

These were Kris Aquino's words as she finally reached an agreement with ex-husband and PBA star James Yap on the visitation and custody of their son, Bimby, after a "four-year journey that needed mutual healing, acceptance, and maturity."

In an Instagram post on Tuesday, the 43-year-old TV host thanked their respective lawyers, Sigfried Fortun and Lorna Kapunan, as well as Marikina Regional Trial Court judge Cristina Sulit for helping them reach a "long-term agreement."

"At the end of the day as parents we want Bimb to grow up feeling loved and secure," she said in the caption a photo collage showing her with Yap and Sulit.

"James and I as a couple weren't blessed [with] a happy ending, but through God's grace we have been given a chance to have an 'And They Lived Happily Ever After,'" Aquino added.

She did not detail the arrangement with Yap.

Aquino and Yap were married in civil rites in July 2005. Their marriage was declared null in February 2012, following allegations of infidelity on Yap's part.

The former couple had a previous agreement on the visitation and custody of Bimby that was settled in court in July 2013, following their controversial row over allegations that Yap "made amorous advances" on Aquino in front of their son, which he denied.

The two met in court numerous times, but eventually settled on the compromise which both parties referred to at the time as beneficial to Bimby.

However, in late January this year, Aquino and Yap made headlines once again when the San Mig Coffee player claimed he had not seen Bimby for almost five months. But Aquino said Yap "just hasn't exerted effort," noting there were no "legal or personal reasons" preventing him from seeing their son.

In February, Aquino expressed willingness to make peace with Yap, who referred to time spent with Bimby during his birthday as his "happiest moment."

"Happy birthday, James. Peace, harmony and God's blessings to you," Aquino said at the time in an Instagram post. "I am a mom who has learned to set aside past hurts and I've learned how to move on with God's grace because I want my sons to be well adjusted and positive. And that starts with my example."